Dispensing attachment for a liquid container



March 26, 1957 W. F. MIDDLESTADT DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUIDCONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 11, 1955 FIGB.

ATTORNEY.

March 26, 1957 Filed July IL, 1955 nu un w. F. MIDDLESTADT 2,786,718

DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR LIQUID CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.WILLIAM FQMIDDLESIADT.

United States Patent DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID O TAIN R WilliamMiddlestadt, Baltimore, Md.

Application July 11, 1955, Serial No. 521,089

12 Claims. :(Cl. 299-97) This invention relates to the distribution ordispensing of a liquid from a can and more particularly to a distributorassembly adapted for use with a sealed can to direct its oil contents toa designated location or area.

The conventional squirt oil can consists of a reservoir container tohold oil with an elongated spout extended from it to distribute it. Thebottom of the reservoir is manually depressed and acts like a diaphragmto squirt the oil out. The oil is poured in the reservoir by removingthe spout and pouring it through its opening from a storage can, where asupply is kept. The amount of oil held in the reservoir is limited, andwhen poured in is subject to a certain amount of spilling and otherincidental obiections. This invention consists of a contrivance ofrelatively simple construction adapted for attachment to a sealedconventional liquid containing can'sold commonly in the commercialmarket. It is combined with the latter to form a device for distributingoil or other liquid to a specific area through a spout attachmentincluding an arrangement to provide for forcing the liquid out in s eam,hrou h the manipul io of h hand o h u r 0 1 The invention has among itsobjects the provision of a new and improved distributing mechanism for asealed quid n a nin ca or h ike hat will avoi e o more of thedisadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improveddistributing mechanism for a liquid in a sealed. container that can bereadily attached and provided with e n fo p erc n h a l t r o to get ait C ntents and conduct them through a tubular conveyor for distributionor dispensing through a spout to a selected area, at the discretion of.the user. i

Still o er o e t of he n n o i o pr vi e .a n w and improved mechanismfor the manual distribution of oil or other liquidfrom a sealed can thatwill have means for piercing the can and locating a suction pipe in itscontents, including a manually operated pump for positively raising thelatter and directing it through a spout in substantial amounts until thecan is emptied.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedmechanism for piercing a sealed can containing a liquid and distributingor dispensing the contents at will, by a manually operated pumpincorporated in its structure, through a spout, and detachable'from thedispensable can when the contents have been emptied by it, and capableof further use with another container in the same manner, indefinitely.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as it is more fullydescribed.

For a better understanding of the invention, and its objects referenceis made to the accompanying drawings, wherein a particular form of thearrangement is disclosed, by way of example, while the followingdescription outlines the details of its structure, use and operation.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a liquid distributor embodying thisinvention, as applied to a conventional oil 7 2,786,718 Pa nte Map 2. 3

2 container with portions being broken away to clarify ihe manner inwhich it is used; i

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the ejection unitemployed Withthis embodiment;

Figure 3 is a front elevationjof the pedestalused in this Figure 4 is arear view ro wa how he v u e s s tiqfi v sw n lin ,7 V. showing the typeof clieck'valves incforp ated in this embodiment. i i i Figure 6 is asection taken on line 6 6 of Figure l. Similar reference charactersrefer to the same parts throughout the drawings. Y i v h c re n t e drwi s d ate h w the n sn tion is employed in utilizing a' conventionaloil container 10 for the dispensing of its oil conte'nts- Thesecontainers are sealed and generally of one-quart capacityaiidofcylindrical shape. The container 10 is placed in a vertical positionwhile the liquid distributor is mounted on it. In mounting thedistributor, its suction tube 11 is forced through the sealed top 12with its sharpened angular forating point 13 cutting its way through.The perro or 13 protrudes through the top wall 12 to a depth adjacentthe bottom wall. l4. This enables the'suction tube t'o completely emptythe contaii'rer. intake check alv e 5 is in a d n he t be 1 arth p in 'aops th return to the container 10 of any liquid 16' drawn up from thecontainer into the adjacent portion of tube 11. 'A rubber-like thi nble17 slides on the tube 11 and is brought tightly against the hole in thetop wall 12 where the tube 11 passes through into the container. Thisthimbl functions as a gasket or stufiing box to prevent the liquid fromleaking at the hole. 7 i Aileisflo or pump 250 is n alled n t be at asuitable distance above the container and is" adaptedlto raise theliquid 16 and force it through the extended upper t on of the t be tand' ast htau a di s sh k valve 25. The pump or ejection unit'consistsof a hou sing 4 v mqunts by a cir ul av r ph a m en i sd b afls S r 3 prs a .n' Th spring $5 isbraced against the inside face of a wallof he hosi g cppgs e th i hra m and Suitab y settled there t k t in Pasit I e hu g i Partially supported on the tube 11 and pedestal 29. The holes ,40in the upper and lower walls Zl and 22 of the housing ,44 respectivelyare surrounded by hosses 23; and enab the tube to be passed'through themso they will be airtight. An opening 45 in the wall of the tube 11within the housing permits the oil 16 to be "dravvn intothe housing 44by the diaphragm 19 on the SuCliQfi Stroke and fortied out from it onthe compression stroke and out through a fleigib lespout 24. Theliquid'ln passes through theupper end of the tube 11 and through thedischargecheck valve 25, on its way to the spout 24. The pout has asuitable head 26 for controlling the type of spray or squirtpassingthrough it as the liquid 16 is expelled. Couplings 27 attach thedischarge check valve 25 and head 26 to the flexible spent 24.

The tube and ejector assembly are supported by a podestal 2 9. Thepedestal consists of a barof relativelYflat material and has an L-likefoot piece 30 formed on one endto engage over the lip 31 of the'sealedliquid container 10. Integral brackets 28 and 33'respe ctivelyextend at right angles from the pedestals have holes 34 through themthrough which the tube 11 passesto hold the latter. Under the bracket 33the resilient thimble 17 is placed and pressed down by it to keep thethimble against the container top, as Well as act as one end of clamp incooperation with the foot piece 30 to grip the container 10 tightly andcombine it into the distributor or dispenser assembly. i

as follows.

' The pedestal is bent over above the ejector 20 to form a resilient arm32 including a convexed hump 41 arranged to align with the diaphragm 19and operate it. The arm 32 extends beyond the hump 40 and forms a spoonhandle 36 to be actuated by the fingers of the user, when the ejector isWorked by him.

The operation of the device is described more in detail First theangular perforating point 13 is pressed through the container top wall12 and the suction tube 11 inserted into the liquid 16 until the thimble'17 on the pedestal 29 contacts the top wall 12, the foot piece 30 ispulled down and slipped over the bottom lip 31 of the container causingthe thimble 17 to compress and seal the hole in the top wall 12 againstleakage.

The operator presses and releases the handle 36 until the tube 11 andejector 20 are filled with the liquid, which is prevented from returningto the container 10 by an inlet or check valve 15. The manipulation ofthe handle 36 further, squirts the liquid from the spout 24 and itsnozzle head 26. The spout by reason of its flexible structure can bebent and diverted to point in any direction selected by the user. Thedischarge check valve 25 prevents the liquid in the spout from returningto the tube and container. The ejector diaphragm 19 exerts the necessarypressure on the liquid to draw it up from the container into the ejector20 and then force it out through the spout and head. The pedestal is cutout at 37 to allow the arm 32 to straddle the tube 11, as well as act asa guide and keep the arm aligned while being operated. The check valve25 comprise a ball 39, a

seat 42 and a coil spring 43 operating in the usual manner. The intakevalve 15 comprises a ball 46, a seat 47 and a spring 48 and operates inthe usual manner. The coupling 27 enables the spout to be removed forcleaning and inspection purposes. The ejector 26 is attached to thepedestal 29 by screws or other fasteners 50 so it can be detached at anytime if required. When the container 10 is emptied it is removed andanother container full of liquid is mounted on the dispenser to replaceit.

The invention enables a full container of liquid to be mounted on itsassembly easily and quickly. This avoids the requirement of filling anoil or other squirt device for distributing its liquid. The assemblyhandles a relatively large quantity of liquid, and is ready for serviceafter once being pumped to the ejector. The assembly can be carriedconveniently as (without the container) it takes up little room. Itsmechanism is simple and offers no maintenance problems. It is morepowerful in its distribution of liquid than a conventional oil can canbe. It can be used in many unusual locations because of the capacity fordispensing liquid under pressure and the flexibility of its spout.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specifications, it is not desired to limit thisapplication for patent to this particular form as it is appreciated thatother forms of construction could be made that would use the sameprinciples and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1s:

1. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot-piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open,- an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors ofthe ejectorand tube connected with one another, and means for actuating saidejector to 4 draw the liquid from the container into the ejector andforce the liquid through the open end of the suction tube.

2. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for en gagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, 21 perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interior of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated.

3. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit.

4. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapated for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit, and a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquidto a designated locus.

5. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the

interiors of the ejector and tube connected with one another, means foractuating said ejector to draw the liquid from the container into theejector and force the liquid through the open end of the suction .tube,said pedestal being formed to provide a resilient arm extending adjacentto the said ejector for operating it when manually actuated, saidejector including a diaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumpingcharacteristic, and the arm including a protruding member contacting thediaphragm for actuating it, a flexible spout mounted on said tube forconveying said liquid to a designated locus, and check valve means forcontrolling the direction of flow through said tube.

6. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to adesignated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction offlow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of checkvalves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube,one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, andanother to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into thetube.

7. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to adesignated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction offlow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of checkvalves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tube,one of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, andanother to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into thetube, said thimble being of rubberlike material adapted to make thepassage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquidtight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, saidarm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector withits protruding mem- 6 her extending outwardly and arcuately operabletowards said diaphragm and a handle on said arm to facilitate theoperation thereof.

8. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to adesignated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction offlow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of checkvalves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tubeone of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, andanother to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into thetube, said thimble being of rubberlike material adapted to make thepassage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquidtight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, saidarm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector withits protruding member extending outwardly and arcuately operable towardssaid diaphragm and a handle on said arm to facilitate the operationthereof, and a spray head on said spout for varying the type of spray ofthe liquid expelled therethrough.

9. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a footpiece adapted for engagement with the bottom of a sealedcontainer for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, a perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragmic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to adesignated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction offlow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of checkvalves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tubeone of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, andanother to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into thetube, said thimble being of rubberlike material adapted to make thepassage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquidtight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, saidarm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector withits protruding member extending outwardly and arcuately operable towardssaid diaphragm, a handle on said arm to facilitate the operationthereof, a spray head on said spout for varying the type of spray of theliquid expelled therethrough, and a coupling for removably attaching thespout to the said tube.

10. A liquid dispenser assembly comprising in combination, a pedestalincluding a foot piece adapted for engagement with the bottom of asealed container for a liquid, brackets extending from the pedestal, aresilient thimble held by one of said brackets against the top of saidcontainer, said foot piece and thimble being arranged to clamp on andfasten to said container, 21 perforating suction tube attached to saidbrackets and including a perforating end piercing through .the top ofsaid container for placement in said liquid, said tube having its otherend open, an ejector mounted on said tube, the interiors of the ejectorand tube connected with one another, means for actuating said ejector todraw the liquid from the container into the ejector and force the liquidthrough the open end of the suction tube, said pedestal being formed toprovide a resilient arm extending adjacent to the said ejector foroperating it when manually actuated, said ejector including adiaphragrnic mechanism for inducing its pumping characteristic, and thearm including a protruding member contacting the diaphragm for actuatingit, a flexible spout mounted on said tube for conveying said liquid to adesignated locus, check valve means for controlling the direction offlow through said tube, said valve means including a plurality of checkvalves located adjacent to the intake and discharge ends of said tubeone of which is adapted to hold the liquid drawn into said tube, andanother to prevent the liquid in said spout from returning into thetube, said thimble being of rubber-like material adapted to make thepassage in the container made by the perforating suction tube liquidtight and allow for adjustment of the pedestal on the container, saidarm of the pedestal being rounded to bend down and over the ejector withits protruding member extending outwardly and arcuately operable towardssaid diaphragm, a handle on said arm to facilitate the operationthereof, a spray head on said spout for varying the type of spray of theliquid expelled therethrough, a coupling for removably attaching thespout to the said tube, the ejector including a housing, with saiddiaphragm exposed on one side thereof and a'spring braced against thewall of the housing and against the diaphragm for resilientlypositioning the latter in contact with said protruding member.

11. A liquid dispenser comprising, in combination, a tube having one endthereof adapted to pierce a wall of a liquid container, means forsupporting said tube on the container, inlet and outlet check valvemeans in said tube, a pump comprising a housing having a diaphragmmounted thereon,'the housing and tube interiors being in communicationbetween the inlet and outlet check valve means.

12. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, said supporting meansincluding a bracket engaging said tube and resilient means interposedbetween said bracket and the liquid container to provide a liquid tightseal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS329,067 Nelson Oct. 27, 1885 2,140,257 Butler Dec. 13, 1938 2,257,725Davis Oct. 7, 1941 2,660,338 Dunn Nov. 24, 1953

